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Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
5-13-2028
Year of Publication
2026
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
College
Social Work
Department/School/Program
Social Work
Faculty
Dr. Hillary Whipple
Abstract
Individuals, families, and communities are profoundly impacted by the breakdown of socioemotional connections associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The rising number of people living with dementia extends far beyond memory loss and declining health. Healthcare systems are not fully prepared to manage the growing burden, which carries substantial psychological and economic consequences for both individuals and society. Current perspectives on dementia mainly focus on memory, physical decline, and behavior management. Consequently, relational and socioemotional health is overlooked in favor of strategies that prioritize prevention and pharmaceuticals. This creates major gaps in dementia care for persons with dementia (PWD) and their family caregivers, who face the loss of identity, personhood, and intimate relationships.
This capstone project presents three products that address this gap across dementia research, theoretical foundations, and clinical practice. The first product is a systematic literature review that includes neurobiological research on deficits in neural networks, social cognition, emotional processing, and relationship quality among persons diagnosed with generalized dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). This review focused on the following research question: “Can relational interventions grounded in neuroscience enhance caregiver-person connection in early to moderate dementia?” Thirteen quantitative and five qualitative studies from 2015-2025 were used to identify multiple neural networks associated with social cognition and socioemotional functioning throughout the dementia disease process. Key findings included evidence for assessing socioemotional functioning and the retention of emotional processing throughout the dementia disease process. The second product presents a theoretical framework that reconceptualizes dementia, moving beyond a model of brain failure and atrophy toward one emphasizing challenges in understanding and adapting to changing socioemotional capacities. Integrating the theoretical foundations of symbolic interactionism, Kitwood’s person-centered care, and neuroplasticity, the author provides a new perspective on social interactions, maintaining personhood, and valuing the brain’s continued capacity for positive responses to sensory stimuli. The third product addresses the issue of limited in-home interventions targeting socioemotional connections and relational continuity for PWD and family caregivers. An Individualized Emotional Sensory Plan (IESP) is introduced as a targeted treatment plan that incorporates sensory and social interactions designed to elicit positive emotions and connections. Using specialized biopsychosocial and socioemotional assessments, historical sensory data can be gathered to tailor in-home treatment plans that effectively foster socioemotional connections lost due to impaired communication. This capstone project addresses the gap between research and practice in holistic dementia care. Recognizing socioemotional capacities in dementia and providing a framework to improve well-being and relational continuity are essential for effective social work practice.
Recommended Citation
MCKEE, LAURA A., "Beyond Cognition: Emotional Connection, Personhood, and Dementia in Social Work Practice" (2026). DSW Capstone Projects. 78.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/csw_grad_reports/78
